TExES PPR Sample Questions

According to Piaget’s theory on stages of cognitive development, which of the following thought processes best distinguishes a student at the formal operational stage?

• A student’s crayon is hidden from view, and the student searches until they find the crayon.

• A student creates a story about how winter would be better if snow were green and not white.

• The student divides a pile of toy cars into trucks, vans, and cars

• A student divides one ball of clay into three balls of clay and declares they now have more clay than before.

Answer explanation

Choice B exemplifies the formal operational stage, where abstract thinking allows the student to creatively imagine alternative scenarios, such as snow being green, demonstrating advanced cognitive abilities beyond concrete experiences.

Mr. Michaels typically uses direct instruction as his primary means of teaching. At the beginning of the school year, his principal informs Mr. Michael he will have four English language Learners in his class. Of the following , which is the best adjustment  Mr. Michaels can make to enhance his teaching style for the English language learners?

• Translate his lectures into the students’ native languages.

• Prepare multimedia presentations with visual images to coincide with his lectures.

• Have other students assist the ELL students in taking notes.

• Transcribe his lectures and provide copies to the ELL students.

Answer explanation

Preparing multimedia presentations with visual images (Choice B) enhances understanding for English language learners by providing visual context, making it easier to grasp concepts alongside verbal instruction.

To ensure that an end of the unit assessment accurately measures what first grade students have learned, a teacher should include which of the following in the assessment process?

• Opportunities for students to compare their scores to the scores of other students in the class.

• Guides for students to implement goal setting strategies.

• A preview of concepts and materials for the upcoming unit.

• A variety of ways for students to show their understanding.

Answer explanation

Including a variety of ways for students to show their understanding allows for a more accurate assessment of their learning, accommodating different learning styles and demonstrating their knowledge effectively.

A first grade class will be using independent work stations. The primary purpose of the stations is to create an environment in which students select projects to work on, complete their projects, and share what they have learned. Even though the teacher has planned what the students will do at the stations, some students are unsure of what to do. Which of the following actions would best help the students to understand how to use the workstations to become independent learners?

• Posting student performance criteria for the station projects.

• Having student volunteers to role play in how to work the stations.

• Listing expected student behavior for working in the stations.

• Developing a rubric for students to use in assessing the quality of projects.

Answer explanation

B is correct because having student volunteers role play demonstrates the use of workstations, helping peers visualize the process and understand expectations, fostering independence in learning.

A new freshman teacher plans to place her classroom in instructional groups by their achievement scores from last year. She announces that each group will have difference assignments based on their level of past performance. Which of the following would best predict her student's attitudes and behavior using this practice

• The students would welcome working in groups with their peers.

• The students would look forward to working with the teacher on one on one basis more often than working in a group.

• The students would rise to the occasion and feel comfortable in taking on leadership roles and would achieve success.

• The students would feel the teacher does not have very high learning expectations of all the groups and would feel marginalized.

Answer explanation

Choice D is correct because grouping students by achievement can lead to feelings of low expectations and marginalization, as students may perceive that the teacher does not believe in their potential to succeed.

Mr. Graham is introducing a lesson about the US Constitution to his students. He periodically calls upon students to assess their knowledge as he lectures. When a student cannot answer a question after an appropriate amount of time, what strategy should Mr. Graham us to best support the student's learning?

• Continue to wait until the student is able to provide an answer.

• Ask the student a separate, easier question.

• Provide the student with a brief prompt to help them remember the correct answer.

• Ask another student to provide an answer.

Answer explanation

Providing a brief prompt helps the student recall information without feeling overwhelmed. This strategy supports learning by encouraging engagement and reducing anxiety, making it the best choice.

During the first week of school, which of the following is the best assessment a new eighth grade science teacher can use to determine student's knowledge and understanding retained over the summer?

• A vocabulary test covering on-level science vocabulary where students must match the correct word with its defintion.

• A teacher-made test on vocabulary and concepts that will be covered during the first grading period.

• A diagnostic test designed by the book company that covers the first chapter's material.

• A lab experiment to evaluate student's knowledge and understanding of how to use the lab equipment safely.

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best assessment as it focuses on vocabulary and concepts relevant to the upcoming curriculum, allowing the teacher to gauge students' prior knowledge effectively.

Mr. Jolly wants to create a positive climate for his classroom. Which of the followiing actions would best promote a positive classroom climate?

• Allowing student to choose the instructional activity for the day.

• Greeting each student as they enter the classroom.

• Creating lesson that are easy for his students to complete.

• Applying the same academic goals for all his students.

Answer explanation

Greeting each student as they enter the classroom fosters a welcoming environment, making students feel valued and respected. This personal interaction is key to building a positive classroom climate.

Which of the following strategies most directly leads to increased academic performance?

• Integrating social emotional learning in classes.

• Scheduling daily time for students to learn to read for pleasure.

• Rewarding students for meeting specific objective.

• Enforcing regulations regarding excessive tardiness.

Answer explanation

Integrating social emotional learning in classes directly enhances students' emotional well-being and engagement, which are crucial for improved academic performance. This approach fosters a supportive learning environment.

Which of the following strategies is most appropriate for assisting English-language learners (ELLs) at the beginning level of proficiency with reading content-specific material?

• 1. Providing instruction on text-based academic vocabulary prior to reading.

• Requiring students to develop outlines of the text in English while reading

• 1. Having students read content material aloud in groups with other ELLs

• 1. Providing students with parallel texts in English and their native language

Answer explanation

Providing instruction on text-based academic vocabulary prior to reading is crucial for ELLs at the beginning level, as it equips them with the necessary language tools to comprehend content-specific material effectively.